Anyone who’s watched Dancing with the Stars over the past decade has seen Jenna Johnson grow from a troupe dancer into a two-time Mirrorball champion. But her story reaches beyond the ballroom: she’s navigating motherhood, public scrutiny over her appearance, and even a reported feud with a former celebrity partner. Here’s what you need to know about the dancer, her family, and the headlines that have followed her.
Full name: Jenna Michelle Johnson Chmerkovskiy · Born: April 12, 1994 · Profession: Professional Latin and ballroom dancer, choreographer · Spouse: Val Chmerkovskiy (m. 2017) · Children: 1 son (RJ) · Notable achievement: 2-time Mirrorball champion on Dancing with the Stars
Quick snapshot
- Full name: Jenna Michelle Johnson Chmerkovskiy (Apple TV)
- Born: April 12, 1994 (Talent Recap)
- Profession: Dancer, choreographer (All American Speakers)
- Husband: Val Chmerkovskiy (married 2017) (Talent Recap)
- Son: Roman Valentin (born January 2023) (Us Weekly)
- Lives in Los Angeles (Talent Recap)
- Weight loss attributed to “brain positivity” (2024) (Dance & Co)
- Feud with Corey Feldman addressed (ABC)
- Continues to dance and teach (Dance & Co)
Eight facts about Jenna Johnson, one pattern: she has built a career on versatility — from a So You Think You Can Dance finalist to a DWTS pro, all while managing a very public personal life.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jenna Michelle Johnson Chmerkovskiy |
| Birth Date | April 12, 1994 |
| Birthplace | Provo, Utah, USA |
| Profession | Latin and ballroom dancer, choreographer |
| Spouse | Val Chmerkovskiy (m. 2017) |
| Children | 1 son (Roman Valentin) |
| DWTS Achievement | 2-time Mirrorball champion |
| Instagram Followers | 1 million+ |
How many children does Jenna Johnson have?
Jenna Johnson and her husband, fellow DWTS pro Val Chmerkovskiy, welcomed their first child, a son named Roman Valentin, in January 2023 (Us Weekly). The couple often calls him RJ. She was 28 years old at the time of his birth.
How old was Jenna Johnson when she had her baby?
- Jenna gave birth at age 28 (born April 12, 1994; son born January 2023).
- She took a short break from DWTS after the birth and returned for season 32 with Barry Williams (All American Speakers).
The pattern: Jenna has balanced motherhood with a demanding DWTS schedule, and her son is now regularly featured on her social media. The implication: she’s proving that professional ballroom and parenthood can coexist in the public eye.
Why did Jenna Johnson lose weight?
In 2024, Jenna Johnson opened up about a significant weight loss that she attributed to a shift in mindset rather than a strict diet or exercise regimen. She told Dance & Co that the change came from “brain positivity” — focusing on mental health before physical transformation. “I changed my brain first,” she said. No specific pounds or timelines were disclosed.
Did Jenna Johnson have face surgery?
- No evidence supports claims of facial surgery. She has denied undergoing any procedures (Darling Society).
- The speculation seems to stem from her weight loss, which changed her facial appearance.
What is “brain positivity”?
Jenna described “brain positivity” as a philosophy of prioritizing mental well-being over external goals. In her words, it’s about “changing your thoughts before you change your body.”
Jenna’s weight loss narrative flips the usual celebrity diet story: she publicly centers mental health, not aesthetics, a move that resonates with fans who follow her for authenticity.
What did Corey Feldman say about Jenna Johnson?
When Corey Feldman was partnered with Jenna Johnson for Dancing with the Stars season 34, rumors of behind-the-scenes tension surfaced. In a podcast interview, Feldman reportedly said there was “some tension on set” but later called it a misunderstanding (ABC). Jenna responded publicly, calling him a “great dancer” and downplaying any feud.
DWTS’ Corey Feldman Addresses Jenna Johnson Feud Rumors
- Feldman made comments suggesting friction during rehearsals.
- He clarified that his remarks were taken out of context.
- Jenna said she respects him as a performer.
The trade-off: the brief controversy gave both dancers extra media attention, but neither side has confirmed any lasting animosity.
How old was Val when he met Jenna?
Valentine “Val” Chmerkovskiy met Jenna Johnson in 2014 when he was 27 years old. They met at a dance studio where Jenna was training (Us Weekly). Val proposed in 2016, and they married on April 13, 2019.
How did Jenna and Val meet?
- 2014: Met at a dance studio in Los Angeles.
- 2016: Became engaged.
- 2017: Married in a private ceremony.
- 2023: Welcomed son Roman.
The catch: Val was already an established DWTS pro when they met, which gave Jenna a direct entry into the show’s inner circle. But she has since built her own achievements, including two Mirrorball trophies.
How old is Jenna Johnson?
Born on April 12, 1994, Jenna Johnson turned 30 in 2024 (Talent Recap). She started dancing at age 3 in Provo, Utah, and moved to Los Angeles in 2009 to pursue dance professionally (All American Speakers).
What is Jenna Johnson’s background?
- Trained in ballroom, ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop.
- Competed on So You Think You Can Dance season 10, finishing in the top 8.
- Joined DWTS as a troupe member in season 18, became a pro in season 23.
Why did Maks Chmerkovskiy leave DWTS?
Maks Chmerkovskiy, Val’s older brother, left Dancing with the Stars in 2020. He cited a desire to focus on his family and other projects (Wikipedia). His departure opened up more spotlight for Val and Jenna as a couple.
Jenna’s career trajectory mirrors the classic DWTS pro arc, but her recent pivot toward mental health advocacy and motherhood gives her a distinct voice in an otherwise glamor-focused world.
Career timeline
- April 12, 1994 — Born in Provo, Utah (Talent Recap)
- 2009 — Moved to Los Angeles to pursue dance career
- 2014 — Met Val Chmerkovskiy
- 2016 — Became engaged to Val
- 2017 — Married Val; joined DWTS as professional
- 2018 (April) — Won first Mirrorball with Adam Rippon (Us Weekly)
- 2020 — Maks Chmerkovskiy left DWTS
- January 2023 — Gave birth to son Roman Valentin
- 2024 — Announced weight loss through brain positivity; partnered with Corey Feldman
What’s known and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Jenna Johnson is married to Val Chmerkovskiy.
- She has one son, Roman Valentin.
- She is a two-time Mirrorball champion.
- She lost weight and attributed it to brain positivity.
What’s unclear
- Whether she had facial surgery (no evidence; she denies it).
- Specific details of the feud with Corey Feldman (both sides differ).
- Exact weight loss amount.
Quotes from Jenna, Corey, and Val
“It was about mental positivity… I changed my brain first.”
— Jenna Johnson, on her weight loss journey (Dance & Co)
“There was some tension on set… but it’s all good now.”
— Corey Feldman, on his partnership with Jenna (ABC)
“I met Jenna when I was 27… I knew she was the one.”
— Val Chmerkovskiy, on meeting Jenna (Us Weekly)
Jenna Johnson’s career is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: she’s determined to define her own narrative — from the ballroom to motherhood to mental health. For fans who’ve watched her grow up on screen, the next chapter promises more dancing, more honesty, and possibly fewer tabloid headlines.
dancingwiththestars.fandom.com, reddit.com, soyouthinkyoucandance.fandom.com, elitedaily.com, talentrecap.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Jenna Johnson’s net worth?
Estimated between $1 million and $3 million, primarily from DWTS, endorsements, and dance appearances.
How did Jenna Johnson lose weight specifically?
She credits a mental shift called “brain positivity” rather than a specific diet or exercise plan.
Is Jenna Johnson pregnant again?
As of late 2024, she has not announced another pregnancy.
What is Jenna Johnson’s height?
She is approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm).
Does Jenna Johnson have any siblings?
She has a younger sister named Molly, who also dances.
How long have Jenna and Val been together?
They began dating in 2014, got engaged in 2016, and married in 2017 — over a decade together.
What is Jenna Johnson’s most famous DWTS dance?
Her contemporary routine with Adam Rippon to “O” by Coldplay is frequently cited as a fan favorite.
Who did Jenna Johnson dance with on DWTS besides Corey Feldman?
She has danced with Adam Rippon, JoJo Siwa (same-sex partnership), Joey Graziadei, and others.
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Benjamin Clarke is Senior Reporter at Canada Perspective, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.